Troy Aikman can’t catch a break from NFL fans this season. The Hall of Fame quarterback turned ESPN analyst keeps finding himself in the crosshairs for weird commentary that seems to protect some signal callers while roasting others.
Nov 24, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Nov 24, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
MNF viewers erupted after watching Aikman make excuse after excuse for Brock Purdy’s three first-half interceptions against Carolina Panthers.
The same broadcaster who blasted Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs for supposedly getting favorable treatment from officials suddenly turned soft when Purdy chucked beach balls to Panthers defenders.
Troy Aikman Gets Blasted Online for Biased Commentary Regarding Brock Purdy
The controversy started weeks ago when Aikman endorsed conspiracy theories about Mahomes getting extra protection from officials. During Kansas City’s Week 8 MNF clash against Washington, he called out a roughing penalty on Jer’Zhan Newton.
“When it comes to quarterbacks, especially this one, they’re gonna protect them,” Aikman said about Mahomes on the broadcast. The comment fed directly into the narrative that refs rig games for Kansas City.
Fast forward to Monday’s 49ers-Panthers snoozefest. Purdy went hell of a QB mode, tossing three ugly interceptions before halftime. But Aikman’s tone couldn’t have been more different. Instead of calling out bad reads and worse throws, he reportedly made excuses.
Caleb Williams throws a screen pass td…Troy Aikman: “Pure luck”
Brock Purdy throws his third int of the half…Troy Aikman: “Not his fault”
— and so we crumble (@literal_analogy) November 25, 2025
Fans immediately noticed the weird contrast between his harsh treatment of young signal-callers like Caleb Williams and his gentle handling of Purdy’s disaster class.
One fan wrote, “Troy Aikman is a hilarious human being. It’s crazy he still won’t admit to ridiculing Caleb in that Washington game. But he’s watching Purdy toss out beach balls and it’s just ‘weird’ to him lmao.”
Another added, “If JJ McCarthy threw three picks in the first half Troy Aikman would personally walk down onto the field and stab him.”
The third shared, “‘Brock Purdy never sees him, nor should he have seen him’ – an all-time bozo line from Troy Aikman.”
A fourth sarcastically noted, “if you could only listen to troy aikman, you would think purdy having the best game of his life with 3 picks.”
The fifth one remarked, “Aikman is playing double-standard.”
Aikman’s double standard was impossible to miss. He criticized Williams for mistakes in Chicago’s loss to Washington and questioned Mahomes’ integrity, suggesting the refs favored him. But when Purdy threw three easy turnovers, Aikman’s sympathy raised serious eyebrows.
He has one year left on his five-year, $90 million ESPN contract. But if he keeps playing favorites in the booth, fans might start hitting the mute button regardless of the matchup.